2009 Merlot blend, SO2, MLF and topping up

Been meaning to do this for over a month - checked the SO2 levels on the remaining bulk 2009 wine (5+5+1+1), and as expected it was pretty much depleted.  Added 10% solution to get it to about 40 or 50 ppm, opened a bottle we corked in August of 2010 and used it to top off, and replaced the airlocks with solid stoppers.  (Well, really I replaced the airlocks in the orange 2-way caps with solid covers.)

Also tested for MLF (Accuvin) and it looks like that was complete.

My only hesitation in this was whether to bottle one of the carboys instead of capping it: decided to pass on that, and count on what's already bottled plus the 2010 Muscat (plus maybe some of the cal-blend Grimaldi-Savino?) to entertain the wine party crowd in June of 2010.   (If I were less lazy maybe I'd do an MLF test on the August bottle I just opened as a topper?)

2010 Reds first racking

Racked both red wines today.

Free SO2 looked to be very low, and we went for a full 50 ppm, adding about a tablespoon of 10% solution to each 5 gallon carboy.  (Note to self: need to make another batch of 10% solution before next work - this one is good only through December 8.)

Both wines looked very clean - not very much lost to the lees. 

Primitivo went from 5+5+5+5+1 to 5+5+5+5, but had to use a wee but of lees and 750 ml of commercial zinfandel to get there.

Blend went from 5+5+5+3 to 5+5+5+1+1, using a tad of lees and no commercial topper.

All in all, and easy day of work, though way cold outside for the wash-up.